Never see too much about RPO;s, can’t ever remember seeing an h.o. model of one, but I’m sure they are out there, what were they like inside, I understand the mail was actually sorted on route, was the car run by the railroad or government staff, was there accomodation for the staff, how far did they travel, I remember in the mid 1950’s getting a letter from Victoria, British Columbia to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan (1056 miles) in 2 or 3 days. If I can remember correctly I’m sure I actually dropped a letter in a mail slot on the side of an RPO, or was I dreaming?
There are several HO scale RPO models. Athearn makes both a heavyweight and streamlined version (the SL car is too short), Walthers makes one, Roundhouse makes one, Con-Cor makes one, AHM makes two, Rivarossi makes three, and there are several brass car side kits.
As for your basic recollections about RPOs, you’re pretty much on track. RPOs (in the USA), were operated by the US Postal Service. The interiors were the property of the US Government, and there were set plans for RPO layouts (generally in 15 foot increments). RPOs sorted, bagged, picked up, and set out mail en route. Regular baggage cars were used for mail storage. I believe RPOs had toilets and folding benches for the crews (who were armed, BTW). Many of these cars have survived in museums, so it’s pretty easy to find one and look inside.
And yes, there were mail slots in the sides of RPOs!
I have one in my Daylight consist. Athearn.
Phil
One of the episodes of Tracks Ahead spends 10 minutes on RPO. Sorry, can’t tell you which episode.
tatans,
Don’t know where you’re at, but you mention Canadian locations in your post, so you may be able to get to Squamish BC, to see the West Coast Railway Heritage Park. They have a fully-restored ex-CP RPO as part of their collection. It would be well worth a visit. It has certianly helped me understand the operation of these cars.
Take a look at Walthers.com for the available RPO’s.
I have a question. I have a Walthers RPO and it has windows that cover only half of the sides. Which is the front end of the car, the window half or the windowless half------or does it matter?
REX
MR mag just recently had an article for mail on the railroads and there was a photo of the interior of an RPO.
Check the Index of Magazines at the top of the page and maybe you can find it, and other references, too.
Or just Google it and see what you get. Don’t forget to click on Images at the top of Google’s page, too.
There were full RPOs where the entire car was a post office and combo RPOs where the car was half RPo and the other half was bagggage or a coach.
Athearn and Walthers make them.
BC